Former friends Hamilton, Sutil to meet

As German Sutil’s career was in tatters amid the Eric Lux assault affair, long-time friend Hamilton refused to appear as a witness at the trial.

Sutil, now 30, is returning to the grid after a one-year absence with Force India this year, and both the German and Hamilton are testing this week in Spain.

“I emailed him a couple of times and I emailed him a while ago saying that I heard that he could get the seat and that I hoped he would because he deserved it,” Hamilton told reporters in Barcelona.

“I also emailed him on the way here as soon as I found out, saying congratulations, and that I was happy for him. I haven’t heard back from him but I’m sure at some stage we will get to talk,” added the Mercedes driver.

Sutil was fined EUR 200,000 and given an 18-month suspended sentence for the assault, and as he exited F1 he denounced Hamilton as a “coward”.

Asked about his relationship with Hamilton, he said on Thursday: “I haven’t spoken to him. I have no relationship with him.

“For sure I will meet up with him, but I don’t know what will happen,” added Sutil.